All MCA Insight articles in February 2026 – Page 9
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Analysis & InsightUK beef prices were the world’s most expensive in 2025
Lynx Purchasing warns beef continues to be a premium menu option as demand outpaces supply, with prices expected to remain tight across all cuts even as wet and stormy weather affects other crops
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OpinionJeremy King unwittingly feeds the social media monster
The fabled restaurateur has taken aim at entitled social media influencers for causing a nuisance and ruining the dining experience for other guests. But did his keen sense of style and design, appeal to A-listers and cultivation of The Ivy lay the groundwork for the age of the vapid self-takers? ...
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NewsFulham Shore appoints advisors to review options
The operator of Franco Manca and The Real Greek, backed by Toridoll Holdings, is working with Alvarez & Marsal to review “all options” amid a challenging macroeconomic landscape, it confirmed to MCA today
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InterviewsCow & Sow pursues opportunities to go North amid double-digit sales growth
The four-strong steak restaurant group is seeking sites in Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh while delivering like-for-like sales growth of 13%, founder Mark Warburton tells MCA
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Weekend PressBrewDog founder could keep the ‘punks’ on board in takeover bid
James Watt is understood to have private equity backing for deal that would preserve stake held by retail investors who crowdfunded brewer’s expansion, The Sunday Times reports
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Weekend PressHow it all went wrong for BrewDog
The ‘punk’ beer brand founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie faces a nasty hangover as it nears its 20th birthday, as a sale or break-up is considered, The Sunday Times writes
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Weekend PressHSBC scrambles to stave off BrewDog losses
Bank secures loans to struggling company against its flagship brewery in Scotland, The Telegraph reports
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Weekend PressSorry, Jeremy King – Instagram is the only reason I go to restaurants anymore
Taking photos at the table may irritate traditionalists like The Ivy restaurateur, who has likened influencers to an ‘influenza-like outbreak’. But without social media, many restaurants would be emptier – and diners less adventurous, Esme Gordon Craig writes in The Independent
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Weekend PressBrewDog co-founder Watt to plough £10m into rescue bid for brewer
News of his financial commitment comes just hours before suitors are being asked to table second-round offers for BrewDog, Sky News report
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NewsMinimum wage ‘doing more harm than good’
JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin, Big Table Group CEO Alan Morgan and Butcombe Group CEO Jonathan Lawson speak out about the impact minimum wage rises is having on business.
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NewsGDK focused on efficiency as it gears up for UK expansion
The QSR kebab chain is looking to open 25 UK sites this year, with investment in money-saving technology a key priority in the face of increased labour costs, chief executive Simon Wallis explains
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NewsAdmiral Taverns reports record revenue
The pub group has reported a rise in revenue to £210.4m for the 12 months to 1 June 2025 – up from £194.5m the previous year, with the results illustrating the “resilience of our business”, chief executive Chris Jowsey says
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NewsLittle Door & Co secures additional funding to aid expansion
The experiential bar group has secured funding from alternative leader ThinCats to support the next stage of its growth plans which includes two new venues in 2026 - including its first outside the capital.
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NewsStonegate advisors set out leasehold restructuring proposals
The pub and bar company appointed FRP Advisory last month, with documents seen by MCA outlining proposals for a ‘cross-class cram down’ on dissenting creditors, meaning it can press ahead with the restructure without the approval of all landlords
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NewsThe Breakfast Group announces joint venture with bar brand Laki Kane
Under the partnership, Laki Kane will launch a new central London location on the site of The Breakfast Group’s Burlock Bar on Oxford Street
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NewsMarkus Thesleff: ‘We cannot ignore the environment we’re operating in’
The owner of London restaurants Los Mochis and Sale e Pepe has said current sector-specific government policies have created ‘significant threats’ to hospitality and tourism businesses
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NewsHeavenly Desserts moves into retail
The dessert café franchise is to launch a range of milk cake trays under the first phase of a wider retail strategy
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Analysis & InsightUK consumers tighten spending into 2026
New data from Cardlytics shows that festive retail trading reinforced value-led behaviour rather than relaxing it
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NewsIRO Sushi launches joint venture programme
The QSR chain has partnered with a leading high street bank to finance joint-venture franchised stores as it looks to accelerate its UK expansion strategy
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Analysis & InsightIs competitive socialising reaching saturation point in the UK?
The experiential leisure segment continues to expand at a rapid rate, but there are increasing signs a period of market correction and consolidation could be close